March 9, 2026
<<Endorsement Line>>
<<Owner Name>>
<<Owner Address>>
<<Owner City>>, <<Owner State>> <<Owner ZIP Code>>
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
RE: <<Property Address>> / APN: <<APN>> Dear
Property Owner,
Each year, the Santa Clara County Fire Department partners with your city or town to conduct Wildland Fire Safety Inspections. Wildfires continue to pose a serious threat in California, particularly in the Wildland Urban Interface. This letter outlines important safety requirements for your property and highlights resources available to help you prepare, take action, and remain compliant. Your property is located in a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and is subject to minimum fire-safe regulations in the Government Code (GC), Public Resources Code (PRC), the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC), and the California Fire Code (CFC).
This letter includes a property self -inspection card that can be completed and returned by mail or online with the provided QR code. Self-inspections are a key component in achieving fire resilience for residents and the community.
Please use the QR code provided below to submit your self -inspection online (Option 1) or complete this card and return by mail (Option 2).
Your property is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone of the Wildland Urban Interface and therefore requires 100 feet of defensible space from all structures up to the property line. Defensible space is the necessary buffer created around a structure when combustible vegetation is removed or reduced. The enforced safety regulations for your property include:
Enforced Safety Regulations (Items A - H)
A. Create 100 feet of defensible space around your home up to the property line. To accomplish this, fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite a structure (GC § 51182(a)(1)).
B. Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials (GC § 51182(a)(4)).
C. Trim tree limbs 10 feet from chimneys and stove pipes (GC § 51182(a)(2)).
D. Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood (GC § 51182(a)(3)).
E. Remove vegetation a minimum of 10 feet around liquefied petroleum gas tanks . Vegetation between 10 feet and 20 feet shall be fire-smart vegetation (CWUIC § 606.3).
F. Store woodpiles a minimum of 30 feet from structures and clear all vegetation within 10 feet of woodpiles (CWUIC § 607.1).
G. Cover chimney outlets or flues with a 1/2” mesh spark arrester (CWUIC § 605.1).
H. Post a clearly visible house address, using at least 4” high numbers, for easy identification (CFC § 505.1). For homes located more than 50 feet from the street, post address numbers at the driveway entrance.
Additional Safety Recommendations
• Create and maintain a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around any structure by removing vegetation that would likely be ignited by embers.
• Trees 18 feet or taller should be limbed up 6 feet from the ground. Provide additional vertical clearance when trees have vegetation beneath them.
• Clear vegetation and other combustible material from underneath decks. Enclose elevated decks with fire- resistive materials.
• Areas within 10 feet on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads and driveways to be clear of vegetation growth that is not fire-smart.
<<Owner Name>>
<<Owner Address>>
<<Owner City>>, <<Owner State>> <<Owner ZIP Code>>
SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTN: FIRE
PREVENTION DIVISION
1315 DELL AVENUE
CAMPBELL, CA 95008-6609
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
Owner Responsibilities:
1. Please ensure that your property satisfies the listed requirements. You have the option to complete the required work yourself or hire a contractor. For information about vegetation abatement services, visit WeedAbatement.SCCgov.org or call 408.282.3145. If your property is part of a homeowner’s association (HOA), your HOA may also be able to provide guidance or assistance.
2. Please either complete and return the attached property self-inspection card OR scan the QR Code below (under Option 1) to report the current status of your property before April 1, 2026.
Inspection Schedule:
On April 1, 2026 , Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) will begin conducting property inspections. Property owners not in compliance will be notified of what work needs to be completed to comply with the Enforced Safety Regulations. We will conduct a reinspection of the properties that were out of compliance.
If you fail to address the issues identified for your property by June 1, 2026 , the violation will be forwarded to <<contractor>>, and the compliance work may be completed by the <<contractor>>’s authorized contractor.
The charges for any services completed by the authorized contractor will appear on your next property tax bill.
See QR Code below for resources to help you prepare for wildfire, including upcoming workshops.
Sincerely,
Hector R. Estrada, Assistant Chief
Fire Prevention Division
Choose ONE:
1. Scan the QR code below with a smartphone camera to submit your response online OR
2. Complete and mail the attached information card below.
I have received the annual Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Enforced Safety Regulations letter related to flammable vegetation abatement. The current status of my property is as follows (choose one):
□ I have inspected my property for flammable vegetation clearance and believe it complies with the Enforced Safety Regulations. I understand that an inspection of my property may be conducted to verify compliance. □ I will remove flammable vegetation around all structures on my property in accordance with the Enforced Safety Regulations by the required time-frame. I understand that if the required work is not completed, the authorized contractor will complete the work and the charges will appear on my next property tax bill. □ I am no longer the owner of this property.
□ There are no structures on this property.
Name (print clearly): Date:
Phone: ( ) Email:
Property Address: <<Property Address>>
Or Online: qrs.ly/syej73x
Evacuation Zone ID:<<ZoneID>>
Private Access Key: <<AccessKey>>
Option 1 - Respond Online
Option 2 - Respond by Mail
If you would like to request a Home Ignition Zone
assessment, appointments will be available April 1st
through April 15th. To schedule a Home Ignition Zone
assessment provided by SCCFD or for more information,
please contact the Fire Prevention Division at
[email protected] or call 408.341.4420.
Wildfire Preparedness Workshops, Chipping Programs,
and Resources Specific to your City, Town, or Fire
District